Cloud Industrial Controller for Centralized Data-Driven Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial automation systems lack efficient methods for centralized control and data analysis, leading to suboptimal performance and increased operational costs due to localized decision-making and limited data integration.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based industrial controller that collects and analyzes data from various industrial assets and processes, generating control instructions and algorithms to optimize operations, and can interface with local controllers to enhance decision-making and system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If localized control systems are used at each industrial device, then device autonomy and reliability are improved, but centralized data analysis capability and system-wide optimization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines localized control functionality with centralized cloud-based data analysis by integrating multiple data sources (industrial devices, sensors, controllers) into a unified cloud platform that processes information centrally while maintaining local control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based industrial controller acts as an intermediary between localized control systems and centralized data analysis, receiving data from local devices and transmitting optimized control instructions back to them, enabling both autonomy and centralized optimization
2Ease of operation
If multiple localized control systems operate independently, then system modularity and ease of operation are improved, but overall system performance and coordination are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based controller provides universal data analysis and optimization capabilities that serve multiple localized control systems simultaneously, enabling each modular unit to benefit from centralized intelligence without sacrificing their individual functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the cloud-based controller continuously receives performance data from localized control systems, analyzes it centrally, and sends optimized control instructions back to improve overall system coordination and productivity
3Productivity
If centralized control is implemented, then system coordination and resource optimization are improved, but system complexity and communication requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex data analysis and optimization functions from individual control devices and relocates them to a centralized cloud platform, reducing the computational complexity burden on local devices while maintaining centralized coordination capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
A cloud-based industrial controller that controls devices, processes, and other assets of an industrial automation system via control algorithms that execute on a cloud platform is presented. A cloud-based collection component collects information from the industrial automation system via cloud gateways associated with the industrial automation system or extrinsic data sources. The cloud-based industrial controller can monitor and analyze the information, generate control instructions based on the analysis results, and communicate the control instructions to the devices, processes, and/or other assets of the industrial automation system to control operation of the industrial automation system. The cloud-based industrial controller also can interface with a industrial plant-based industrial controller, wherein the cloud-based industrial controller can determine supplemental control instructions to the industrial plant-based industrial controller, based on the information, including extrinsic information, to assist in controlling the industrial automation system and control decision-making.